Crossing Hoffa: A Teamster's Story

by Steven J. Harper

On a spring day in 1961, over-the-road trucker Jim Harper was en route from Mauston, Wisconsin, to his home in Minneapolis. At 70 miles per hour, with a combined 60,000 pounds of man, machine, and material, he approached a curve along the Great River Road and hit the brakes. The tractor-trailer didn't slow. Harper's brake lines had been cut.In preceding months, Harper had led an insurgency in his Teamsters' Local 544 to clean up corruption among its leaders. His efforts drew the attention of none other than Jimmy Hoffa, at the time focused on securing his right to lead the national Teamsters organization without government intervention. Jim Harper had his reasons for confronting his local's leadership--a hardscrabble childhood and a stint in Angola prison had left him seeking redemption, and Jimmy Hoffa had publicly called for union reform. But Hoffa, under federal investigation for questionable financial dealings, had deep, dark secrets; the last thing he needed was a spotlight on Minneapolis. Despite the increasing threats to his life and those of his young family, Harper continued to press his case. In this fascinating account, Harper's son traces the interwoven paths of these two men--a criminal icon and a determined vigilante--from their formative years through their unbelievable face-off."

Audio CD

First published June 15, 2007

About the author

Steven J. Harper is a partner in the law firm of Kirkland and Ellis. He completed his undergraduate work at Northwestern University and his graduate work at Harvard. He is the author of Crossing Hoffa: A Teamster’s Story.

Reviews

[Wayne Katelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Told through the eyes of Harper’s son, this book brings incredible emotional depth to an already gripping tale. The historical detail is meticulous, the pacing relentless, and the moral weight unmistakable. You feel the danger, the determination, and the cost of standing for what’s right when everyone else is afraid to.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story, especially for anyone who knows Ben Harper (the guy from Northwestern '03 not the musician). Anyone interested in the inner workings of Jimmy Hoffa's rise to and fall from power would enjoy this personal account.

[George Presley · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting story of a modest and probably naive individual who's stubborn belief in the integrity of Jimmy Hoffa almost killed him. An odd mix of history and emotion as told by the principal character's son.

[Ted · Rating 4 out of 5]

An account of the author's father and his struggle to fight his union boss and therefore Hoffa. Great history of Teamsters and Hoffa as well as a nice story of a Minnesota trucker and his family.